Rollem, the production company behind The Syndicate, is embarking on an exciting project, transforming the short film “Youthless” into a captivating television series. This venture marks one of their inaugural undertakings following the untimely passing of their esteemed founder, Kay Mellor.
Based in Yorkshire, UK, this independent outfit has secured the rights to Jordon Scott Kennedy’s script and is in the process of adapting it for the small screen. The TV series will delve into events preceding those depicted in the original short film and is poised to become an enthralling ongoing drama series, even though no broadcasting network has been linked to it thus far.
The short film delves into the concept of ‘adultification’ from the perspective of youngsters growing up on a neglected council estate nestled in the rural heart of West Yorkshire. Conceived as a trilogy in black and white, the narrative unfolds over three summer holidays, chronicling the life of Jud Donlan as he approaches the threshold of adulthood. Rollem proudly claims that never before has childhood been depicted with such unflinching realism.
This “brutally honest” show draws inspiration from Scott Kennedy’s own upbringing on the Dewsbury Moor Estate. The first season is set in the summer of 2000, with the synopsis painting a vivid picture: “While the rest of Britain sought new beginnings, estates across the UK were isolated, marginalized, and left to fend for themselves as Tony Blair’s vision of Tomorrow’s World swiftly dissolved into yesterday’s regrets. However, for the kids on this estate, each summer represents an opportunity to dream and savor the essence of childhood: a genuine adventure. At every juncture, they grapple with the looming specter of adulthood, and with adults striving to preserve their vanishing youth by any means possible.”
Kennedy, the creator of the short film, has been actively engaged in the adaptation process. He shared his enthusiasm, stating, “When Rollem expressed their interest in optioning Youthless, I enthusiastically embraced the opportunity. Rollem is the perfect match for me, given Kay Mellor’s remarkable legacy and the company’s history of nurturing emerging voices and underrepresented talent. Rollem has unequivocal faith in my vision, and our shared future looks incredibly promising.”
Kay Mellor, an icon in the UK television industry, passed away unexpectedly in May the previous year at the age of 71. Her daughter, Gaynor Mellor, now serves as Creative Director at Rollem.
Gaynor Mellor conveyed her delight at working with Jordon on “Youthless” and introducing his vision to a broader audience. She expressed, “His short film captivated us from the outset. Kay was passionate about collaborating with new writers, and we are thrilled to showcase this talented individual hailing from Bradford, who is already making a significant name for himself.”
